TAMIL NADU POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD Action Plan on Rejuvenation of River Thirumanimutharu Salem to Papparapatti Stretch (Priority-I) CONTENTS SI. NO. DESCRIPTION PAGE NO. 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Introduction about the River Thirumanimutharu 6 3.0 Sources of Pollution in the River Stretch 7 4.0 District/Area wise details of industries 11 4.1 Details of industries in Salem Corporation and surrounding 11 area 4.2 Details of industries generating trade effluent located in the 11 Taluks where the River passes 5.0 Inspection team Members 11 6.0 Details of sample collection from industries 12 7.0 River water/drain/Ground water samples collected details 12 with live photographs along the river stretch 8.0 Status of water quality of river water in the study area 18 9.0 Ground water samples collected details along the River 19 stretch 10.0 Status of water quality of ground water in the study area 20 11.0 Assessment of compliance of the effluent/sewage discharge 21 norms by the industries in study area. 12.0 Status of industry wise consent validity, wastewater 21 generation and final mode of disposal 13.0 Operation status of ETPs and STPs 21 14.0 Status of installation and operation status of Online 29 Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) 15.0 Findings on the compliance of the Effluent/Sewage 29 discharge norms by the industries 16.0 General observations and recommendations of the 30 inspection team 17.0 Recommendations – Action Plan of the River Stretch 30 18.0 Conclusion 34 19.0 Annexure-I (Details of industries along the polluted river 36 stretch) 20.0 Annexure-II (Report of analysis of industries) 47 21.0 Annexure-III- Action Taken against the Erring Textile units 50 22.0 Annexure-IV – General Standards for Discharge of 53 Environmental Pollutants Part-A: Effluents 23.0 Annexure-V – Water Quality Criteria – Designated Best 55 Uses of Water 2 Comprehensive Report on Prevention and Control of Pollution in River Thirumanimutharu (Priority-I) - An Action Plan for Rejuvenation 1.0 Introduction The Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) Principal Bench took Suo-Moto Cognizance of news report appeared in “The Hindu” authorized by Shri. Jacob Koshy titled “More River Stretches are now critically polluted – CPCB” and issued directions in para 50(i) to (x) vide its Original Application No. 673/2018 dated: 20.09.2018 1. All States and Union Territories are directed to prepare action plans within two months for bringing all the polluted river stretches to be fit at least for bathing purposes (i.e., BOD ˂ 3 mg/L and FC ˂ 500 M PN/100 ml) within six months from the date of finalisation of the action plans. 2. The action plans may be prepared by a four-member Committee comprising, a. Director, Environment b. Director, Urban Development c. Director, Industries d. Member Secretary, TNPCB This Committee will also be the Monitoring Committee for execution of the action plan. The Committee may be called as “River Rejuvenation Committee” (RRC) . The RRC will function under the overall supervision and coordination of Principal Secretary, Environment & Forest, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. 3. The action plan will include components like identification of polluting sources including functioning/ status of STPs/ETPs/CETP and solid waste management and processing facilities, quantification and characterization of solid waste, trade and sewage generated in the catchment area of polluted river stretch. The action plan will address issues relating to; ground water extraction, adopting good irrigation practices, protection and management of Flood Plain Zones (FPZ), rain water harvesting, ground water charging, maintaining minimum environmental flow of river and plantation on both sides of the river. Setting up of biodiversity parks on flood plains by removing encroachment shall 3 also be considered as an important component for river rejuvenation. The action plan should focus on proper interception and diversion of sewage carrying drains to the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and emphasis should be on utilization of treated sewage so as to minimize extraction of ground or surface water. The action plan should have speedy, definite or specific timelines for execution of steps. Provision may be made to pool the resources, utilizing funds from State budgets, local bodies, State Pollution Control Board/Committee and out of Central Schemes. 4. The Action Plans may be subjected to a random scrutiny by a task team of the CPCB. 5. The Chief Secretaries of the State and Administrators/ Advisors to Administrators of the Union Territories will be personally accountable for failure to formulate action plan, as directed. 6. All States and Union Territories are required to send a copy of Action Plan to CPCB especially with respect to Priority I & Priority II stretches for approval. 7. The States and the Union Territories concern are directed to set up Special Environment Surveillance Task Force, comprising nominees of District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, Regional Officer of State Pollution Control Board and one person to be nominated by District Judge in his capacity as Chairman of Legal Services Authority on the pattern of direction of this Tribunal dated 07.08.2018, in Original Application No. 138/2016 (TNHRC), “Stench Grips Mansa’s Sacred Ghaggar River (Suo-Motu Case). 8. The Task Force will also ensure that no illegal mining takes place in riverbeds of such polluted stretches. 9. The RRC will have a website inviting public participation from educational institutions, religious institutions and commercial establishments. Achievement and failure may also be published on such website. The Committee may consider suitably rewarding those contributing significantly to the success of the project. 10. The RRCs will have the authority to recover the cost of rejuvenation in Polluter Pays Principle from those who may be responsible for the pollution, to the extent found necessary. In this regard, principle laid down by this Tribunal in order dated 13.07.2017 in O.A No. 200 of 2014, M.C. Mehta Vs. U.O.I will apply. Voluntary donations, CSR contribution, voluntary services and private participation may be considered in consultation with the RRC. 4 Based on the directions of Hon’ble NGT (PB) vide its Original Application No. 673/2018 dated: 20.09.2018 the Principal Secretary (Environment & Forest) has convened the River rejuvenation committee meeting on 14.11.2018 regarding the directions issued by the Hon’ble NGT (PB) to prepare action plan for the rejuvenation/restoration of polluted river stretches in Tamil Nadu with the heads of the following departments: 1. Municipal Administration and Rural development and its line departments, 2. Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewage Board. 3. Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board. 4. Environment & Forest. 5. Central Pollution Control Board, Bangalore. 6. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. In the meeting it was decided to evolve the detailed action plan for the rejuvenation/restoration of polluted river stretches in Tamil Nadu. The minutes of the meeting was communicated to the above departments requesting certain details with action plan for the rejuvenation/restoration of polluted river stretches in Tamil Nadu. Remainder was also communicated to the above departments. As per the Hon’ble NGT (PB) directions in its Original Application No. 673/2018 dated: 20.09.2018, Four member River Rejuvenation Committee (RRC) was constituted in Tamil Nadu and Government Order (G.O.) was issued by the Environment and Forest (EC.1) Department vide G.O. (D) No. 372 dated: 26.12.2018 (copy enclosed) to execute and to review the action plan for the Rejuvenation/Restoration of water along the polluted river stretches in Tamil Nadu as ordered by the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench. River Rejuvenation Committee (RRC) members are as follows: 1. Industries Commissioner. 2. Commissioner, Municipal Administration. 3. The Director of Environment. 4. The Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. The RRC will function under the overall supervision and coordination of Principal Secretary, Environment and Forests Department, Government of Tamil Nadu. 5 2.0. Introduction about the River Thirumanimutharu: The River Thirumanimutharu originates from Manjavadi in Shevaroy Mountain and flows through the Salem and Namakkal District. It arises in the Yercaud hills. River Thirumanimutharu joins the River Cauvery at Nanjai Edayar place in Namakkal District. In Salem District the River flows over a stretch of approximately 55 KM from Manjavadi in Shevaroy Mountain and flows upto Papparapatti. From Papparapatti it enters into the Namakkal District and confluences with River Cauvery at Nanjai Edayar. In Namakkal District the River Thirumanimutharu enters at Mamundi Village, Rasipuram taluk and ends at Koodudurai village, Mohanur Taluk, The total length of River Thirumanimutharu is about 62 KM in Namakkal district. River Thirumanimutharu flows through Acchankuttapati, Kuppanur, Pallipatti, Vallaiyakaranur, Salem Town, Veerapandi, Attayampatti, Papparapatti and Namakkal district. From Papparapatti it enters into Namakkal District and confluences with the River Cauvery at Nanjai Edayar. 6 RIVER STRETCH MAP 3.0 Source of Pollution in the River Stretch: Industries such as Sago units, Textile Dyeing and Bleaching units are located along the banks of the River Thirumanimutharu. The Salem Corporation is located along/adjacent to the River Thirumanimutharu and its sewage is discharged into the river. The Salem City Municipal Corporation has established